Chapter 5: Beginning an Apprenticeship
Qui-Gon stood with his new apprentice outside the quarters he had once shared with Obi-Wan. The old sign, reading 'Jinn/Kenobi', had been removed earlier that day and replaced with the new one, which proudly stated 'Jinn/Willan'. Obi-Wan's things had been moved to new quarters, but he wouldn't be moving in just yet, as he was set to go on a mission straight away. Now his young apprentice was standing beside him, waiting to enter the place that would be her home, when they weren't on missions, for at least the next ten years.
Raising his hand, Qui-Gon palmed the door controls, and the door slid smoothly open. When Lea saw what was inside, she promptly gasped. The common room of this apartment was bigger than the entire quarters where she used to live. This was hardly surprising; as an initiate she was crammed into as small a space as possible, sharing a floor with all the others her age. But she hadn't known the Master and Padawan quarters were this big.
Beside her, Qui-Gon laughed quietly. "They are a deal bigger than your old quarters, aren't they? You'll get used to it. Now, are you going to go in and take a look around, or are we going to stand out here all day?"
"Oh, yeah. I guess I didn't realise I was just standing out here staring." Lea walked through the door, trying to take in everything at once. Apart from the huge living space, there were two bedrooms, each with its own small refresher, a balcony, and…
"A kitchen!" Lea exclaimed. "Wow! You mean we can actually cook our own meals?"
"Well, we could," the Jedi Master replied slowly. "But it might not be such a good idea. I haven't cooked in… well, years."
"But I know how to cook. My mother taught me on visits home. And I practice on the days when it's my turn to help in the cafeteria."
"Then I suppose there's no harm in giving it a try. Why don't you go into your room and unpack your things?"
"Okay," the young apprentice replied.
"Cooking?" Qui-Gon muttered to himself as the girl went into her room. "What have you gotten yourself into now, Jinn?"
*~*~*~*~*
Master and Apprentice walked into the middle of one of the large training rooms located in the upper levels of the Temple. Qui-Gon watched his apprentice's reaction for a time, then spoke up. "Today I'd like to do a little work with remotes, just to see where you're up to."
"Sure," Lea replied. Shrugging off her robe, she took up her lightsaber and got into a ready stance.
"We'll try it blindfolded, so you'll have to use the Force to locate the remotes. I'm not going to tell you how many remotes you're starting off with, and I'll keep adding them as you go. Remember – feel, don't think. Concentrate on using the Force."
"Yes, master." The word was still unfamiliar on her lips. She ignited her saber, and the purple blade shot out. Making sure the blindfold was tight and comfortable; she nodded to her Master that she was ready to begin.
Six remotes shot out straight away. Lea took a moment to concentrate on their positions, and then neatly blocked the first shot. She continued in this way for five minutes, missing and getting shot only twice. At this, Qui-Gon activated three more remotes, and sent them flying in her direction. These remotes were twice as fast as the last ones, and more random in the shots they made, and so presented more of a challenge. These didn't seem to be much more difficult to Lea at first, but after about half an hour, she began to tire and more of the shots got through. Finally Qui-Gon had seen enough. He called the remotes back, and told Lea to take off her blindfold.
Lea looked around. Of the nine remotes that had been sent in her direction, only five remained. She had taken out three of the original remotes, and one of the harder ones. "That was good," Qui-Gon praised. "But you should try and take them out using simpler strokes, or you'll get tried very easily. That's enough for today. Go and change, then we'll head back to the apartment."
"Yes, Master." Lea hoped she'd pleased her new Master. She had done her personal best out there, never before had she lasted so long against so many remotes. Pleased with herself, she went off to get changed. Soon she met up with her Master, and they headed back to their apartment. Lea had surprised both of them today. Yoda was right, Qui-Gon mused. She is very strong in the Force. I can't wait to see what else she can do.
Chapter 6: Gone Away
Obi-Wan sat in a seat near the back of the passenger ship en route to the Corellian sector. The council had sent him on a diplomatic mission to negotiate a peace treaty between several of the smaller planets of the sector. It was a petty disagreement of the sort quite usual for this type of sector – none of the planets could see eye to eye on the issues of trade, tourism, or territory rights. He expected this to be rather boring.
Obi-Wan sighed. He had hoped that the Council would trust him with something of more importance for his first mission as a Knight. If he couldn't have an interesting mission, he would rather stay at the Temple and catch up with his friends, whom he had hardly even seen these past five years. It didn't matter how many times his Master had used to tell him that all missions, big and small, were important, this wasn't what he'd had in mind of the type of missions he'd be going on once he was a Knight. It was understandable that as an apprentice he'd been sent with his Master on so many diplomatic missions for training, and because they weren't so dangerous. But now? Obi-Wan didn't know what to think.
He was ripped from his reverie as the captain's voice came over the intercom, informing them that they were about to land on the planet Marin Minor. Realising this was his stop, Obi-Wan got up and headed towards the hatch. Only two other people headed in the same direction. Obviously not a very popular planet, Obi-Wan thought to himself.
Exiting the craft, he looked around the spaceport for a transport. Spotting the main road, he went over and hailed an air taxi. Obi-Wan hopped in and asked the pilot to take him to the governor's residence on the other side of the city, and the pilot sped off.
~*~*~*~*~
Twenty minutes later Obi-Wan arrived at the sprawling governor's residence. The huge and showy mansion stood at the top of a small hill, overlooking the large block of land set aside for the governor. Stepping out of the taxi, he turned and thanked the pilot, then started up the long walkway to the main entry.
Entering the large residence, the Jedi Knight was somewhat surprised to be greeted genuinely and enthusiastically by a tall man in flowing royal blue robes. From the information that the council had given him, he knew exactly who this man was: the governor. Looks can be deceiving, as the old saying goes, he thought to himself. Gathering his wits, Obi-Wan bowed low to the man. "Governor Sarran, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Knight."
"Yes, so they tell me. It is so good of you to get here so soon. We are at the end of line as far as this disagreement goes. It is about to turn into all-out war. Without your mediation… there would be no more peace."
"I certainly hope I can help you negotiate a treaty that is agreeable for all involved."
"As do I," the governor replied. "Please, I am sure your journey has been long and tiring. Come and enjoy our hospitality, and we will start the talks this afternoon."
"Of course," Obi-Wan replied. Well, he thought to himself, it's certainly been a day for surprises. I come in expecting an arrogant, showy, disagreeable politician, and I find a genuine, humble, friendly leader. What other surprises will they spring on me? Perhaps these talks wouldn't be so bad after all.
*~*~*~*~*
The peace talks ran smoothly from the very start. Now that's unusual, Obi-Wan thought. Usually these political types lived for arguing. But it seemed that all this group needed was for someone to come up with a plausible arrangement. Obi-Wan negotiated a fair treaty, and all the leaders were quick to sign it. A banquet was organised for that night to celebrate.
Now if that wasn't the easiest mission ever. Obi-Wan was quite proud of himself. His first mission as a Knight, and he'd sorted it out on the very first day. His transport was scheduled to leave forty minutes after the banquet finished. That gave him just enough time to gather his things and give his farewell to the governor and the other leaders assembled. If only all missions were this easy.
Chapter 7: Prank
"Hi guys!" Lea said, sitting down across from her friends in the cafeteria. As usual, Ameisha and Daala sat together on the other side, having arrived at the same time. It was no surprise. They always managed to make sure that they were in the same classes, no matter what the Masters tried to do.
"Hi Lea," Ameisha replied. "So, what's it like being a Padawan? We heard that Master Jinn accepted you. How come you didn't come tell us?"
"Well," Lea began as her best friend Emirina, Emi for short, sat down beside her. "It's great being a Padawan, but very tiring. I'm sorry I didn't come tell you about it myself, but I was so busy. When Master Jinn accepted me, I had to go see the Council, then move into my new apartment with my master, and then Master Jinn wanted me to have a training session with him."
"Sounds exciting," Emi said. "So, is he nice?"
"My master?" Lea enquired. "He's great. He's so kind about everything, and I've never seen anyone use a lightsaber so well!"
"Wow!" Daala said joining in the conversation. "I can't wait till we get accepted as Padawans. And you'll get to go on missions!"
"Yeah," Lea responded. "But it also means I won't get to see you guys so much. I mean, I've only been a Padawan a few days, and already I've hardly seen you all."
"Hey, we all knew this was going to happen someday," Emi replied. "This is great for you! We should be celebrating. Got any ideas?"
"Well…" Ameisha started. "How about we play a prank on one of the Masters? Just like old times."
"That's not a bad idea," Lea stated. "Hey, I know! Master Windu is supposed to be taking our Jedi Order History class next up. He never checks his seat before he sits down. We can grab some of the white Nerf sauce from the kitchen, and put it on his seat. He'll sit down without knowing about it, and when he stands up, it'll be all over his backside! He won't even realise. It'll be hilarious!"
"Great," Daala replied. "Then it's settled. I'm on kitchen clean up when we finish eating, so I'll grab the sauce. We'll meet in History. Let's do this."
~*~*~*~*~
"Shh," Lea whispered later in the classroom. "Everyone else is coming!" The four troublemakers rushed to their seats, just as the rest of the class started filing in.
"You're early, Emi," one of the boys in the class, Darin, commented. "I thought you hated the theory classes." It was true; Emi had never liked these classes, claiming she wasn't training to become a Jedi so she could come to so many hard classes.
"Anyone can change their mind," Emi retorted. "You can't be late to every class, you know. It's much too taxing."
"Alright everyone. Take your seats," Master Windu called out upon entering the room. "We have a lot to get through today." With that, he moved over towards the desk at the front of the room.
"Right," he began. "Today we'll be covering the Sith-Jedi wars. The notes should be on your data pads. We'll start with going through the more prominent figures in this period…" he sat down at his desk not, as the girls had predicted, checking his seat first.
At the back of the room Lea stifled a laugh. "Is something the matter, Padawan Willan?" Mace enquired.
"No Master Windu," Lea replied through giggles. "Not at all, master." Around her, the other three collaborators began to laugh as well. It was simply too easy.
"Would any of you care to enlighten me?" Mace demanded. The girls just shook their heads, too far gone to answer. "Be quiet this instant or go outside!" the Master bellowed. The four nodded, suddenly quiet. They dared not go against a Council Member. "Right. Let's get back to it then, shall we? All of you go to section four in your notes…"
And so the class dragged on. Finally it was over, and Lea and her friends walked out the door. She was just turning the corner when she heard a yell from the direction of the classroom. "Lea Willan!" Mace Windu called loudly.
"Oh no!" Lea exclaimed. "He's onto us. Run!" The quartet took off down the corridor.
*~*~*~*~*
Qui-Gon sighed as he glanced down at his apprentice. He had not expected this. "This is not a good start, you know."
Lea looked away. She hated seeing her new master disappointed in her, but she just hadn't been able to resist. "I know," she replied. "And I'm sorry. It was just a joke!"
"A joke that you played on a Council Member," Qui-Gon said sternly. "Master Windu was not impressed. It took all my powers of persuasion to keep him from putting you on full-time laundry duties for the rest of your life. As it is, you're on extra chores for the next month. You'll be helping out in the kitchen at every meal, and your friends didn't fair any better. You're dismissed. Go to your room and meditate on what you've done. I don't expect this to happen again.
"Yes, Master," Lea replied meekly, and retreated before he got really mad.
Qui-Gon sighed and sat down on his seat. It looked like he was in for more than he bargained for. "I've signed on for a professional prankster," he said out loud.
"Yes," Yoda replied. "But comical, it was. Good for a laugh, she is." Qui-Gon nodded in agreement. Yoda was right about that.
Chapter 8: A Stuffy Apartment And That Meddling Troll
After walking for twenty minutes, Obi-Wan finally stopped in front of the apartment door. He couldn't believe his room would be this far down, but the sign on the door proved it: Room 1982 – Kenobi. Sighing, he slotted the key card into the lock and pushed. On the fourth try the door finally budged and he shoved his way through. "At least it opens eventually," he muttered under his breath. Closing the door behind him and leaving his small travel bag at the door, he brought the lights up, sighting the interior of his new apartment for the first time.
It was, to say the least, not what he'd expected. He hadn't had time to move into his new apartment before he left on his mission, so his things had been put in storage until his room was organised, and then stowed in the apartment to await his arrival. The apartment itself was hardly bigger than the room he'd had in Qui-Gon's apartment as a padawan. It had one main room with a small table and a couch, with a small bedroom and tiny refresher off to the side. The sitting room, he suspected, would not hold more than three people without being crowded. So much for twelve years of service to the Jedi.
All of the padawans would talk of becoming a knight and of all the perks associated. He remembered discussing with Garen and Reeft about having bigger apartments, more authority, more freedom. He had yet to be proved right in those ideas. He knew there had to be some perks of being a knight, but he hadn't come across them yet.
Moving to the wall he stared in disbelief at what he saw. Instead of a balcony like he was used to, all he saw was a window. A small window. With a small curtain to cover it, not that it was needed. It was almost too high for him to be able to see out of. Sighing again, he moved to sit down on the sleep couch. This was not his day. Slowly he removed his boots and outer tunic, preparing for a short nap before dinner. He lay down and closed his eyes. He had two hours before dinner, and then he could fit in a couple hours saber practice and finish for the night. He certainly needed some sleep after that annoying council meeting. He just had to calm his mind and-
The loud beeping of the comm in the next room interrupted his thoughts. Slowly he got up and went to answer it. There goes that nap, he thought as he answered.
"There you are!" Bant's cheerful voice came across the comm unit. "I heard you were back. I just wanted to make sure you settled in okay. How's the new apartment?"
"Lousy," Obi-Wan answered with just a hint of irritation in his voice. He'd been looking forward to that nap.
"Aren't we grumpy this afternoon," Bant scolded. "I just called to make sure you got in okay, and all you can do is complain."
"I'm sorry, but I just had a rather long session with the council, and I was looking forward to some rest. A conversation with you wasn't exactly what I was most looking forward to."
"It's a good thing for you that I know you didn't mean that. That's no way to treat your best friend! Besides, I needed to tell you that we're all meeting for dinner at the cafeteria tonight. Don't be late! We have things discuss. I'm going now before you bite my head off again. Have a nice nap now. Bye!" The machine clicked off and silence returned. Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of relief. Bant was his best friend, and he loved her dearly, but sometimes she could just go on and on, and all he wanted to do was sleep. Now maybe he could.
He started for his room again, but today just wasn't his day. The insistent beeping of the comm again broke the silence, and for a minute he considered ignoring it. Then he realised that it could be one of the Masters, and he knew he couldn't ignore one of them without some trouble. Wishing he didn't have to, Obi-Wan answered the comm.
"There you are, Knight Kenobi. Starting to think you'd never answer, I was," Yoda's gravelly voice erupted from the comm. "Need to talk to you, I do. Meet me you should, in the meditation gardens."
"What is this about Master Yoda?" Obi-Wan asked curiously. He was not about to forfeit his nap for no reason.
"Ask silly questions you should not. Tell you I will when you get there. Ten minutes you have. Hurry. Impatient I will get if slow you are."
"Yes, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan replied grudgingly. He could not afford to get on the wrong side of Yoda. He possessed way too much strength for someone so small. Not to mention that darn stick of his.
~*~*~*~*~
When Obi-Wan arrived at the meditation gardens, Yoda was already there. He sat in his favourite spot – a little niche in the roots of an old and gnarled yawen tree – his eyes closed in silent meditation. As the lone knight approached, he slowly opened his eyes and stared at the young Jedi. After a moment he stated, "Late you are. Expected you here two minutes ago, I did. Busy I am. Have time for your lateness, I do not."
"I'm sorry, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan replied. "I was walking as fast as I could. Running in the temple is not permitted."
"Humph," the old master replied. He whacked a piece of grass beside him with his stick. "Sit."
The ginger-haired Jedi obediently did as he was told. He kept one eye warily on Yoda's stick. By now he'd learned not to underestimate the old troll. And besides, being whacked in the shin by that stick hurt.
"Called you here for friendly conversation I have not. Here to talk about your future we are."
"Master Yoda, I've already explained this to Qui-Gon, and to my friends. I'll take on a padawan if and when I'm ready. Not before."
"Ready you are. Realised it, you have not." The old troll gazed steadily at the young Jedi, studying his expression.
"But I've already tried to tell you," Obi-Wan argued. "I want to get used to being a knight first. And besides, I don't know the first thing about taking care of children."
"Know more than you think, I believe, hmm?" Yoda asked. "Learned your lessons well, you have. Extra knowledge, you need not. Unwilling to admit that I am right, you are."
"But this has nothing to do with-" Obi-Wan began, but was cut off.
"Listen to your excuses I will, you think, hmm? No time for this I have. Argue with your Masters, you should not," the old master scolded. Obi-Wan had to take an apprentice, he knew. He had foreseen it. "Stubborn you are. Consider it, will you?"
"Why are you so persistent about this, Master Yoda?" the young Jedi asked curiously. "You've never been so determined about getting Masters to take on apprentices before – except maybe Qui-Gon."
"Need an apprentice, Qui-Gon did. Important this is for you also. Need a padawan, you do. Seen it, I have."
Obi-Wan sighed. "I'll think about it. I have been thinking about it. For a while now, and it's been on my mind almost constantly. No one seems to want to let me forget it."
"Good! Think of it you should. Important this is. Forget this talk, you should not. Go I must, but speak again of this we shall," getting up, the diminutive Master stared the ginger-haired knight in the eye. "Let you off so easily, I will not."
The master turned around, and Obi-Wan started to think he'd gotten away. But the next second the small Jedi whirled around and whacked the knight swiftly in the shin, with a speed greater than to be expected for his age. "Respect your elders, you should." With that Yoda turned and walked away. The young knight was left with a bewildered expression on his face, staring after the master and rubbing his sore leg.
*~*~*~*~*
Several hours later, after a long meditation session, Obi-Wan stumbled out of the meditation gardens and into the hallway, heading back to his small apartment. Apartment. Yeah right, he thought to himself. More like a small room! Nevertheless, it was his new home, so he continued down the hall toward the lift that would take him all the way down to his accommodation level. Not watching where he was going, he barely noticed as a small figure rammed into his legs.
"I'm sorry!" the young boy cried out as he fell backward. "I didn't mean to run into you. I didn't want to be running in the hallway, but I'm late, and it's past lights out. I'm sorry!" he apologised again.
"That's all right," the knight assured him. "I wasn't watching where I was going, so it was partly my fault. There's no need to apologise." Catching the initiate staring at him, he crouched to the boy's level. "What's your name?" he asked quietly.
"Darin," he replied softly. "I'm sorry to be rude, master, sir, but I really do have to be going. The Initiate Supervisor is going to be mad enough as it is."
"Of course," Obi-Wan replied, excusing the young boy. He stared after Darin as he dashed off down the hall. He didn't know why he was so interested in a little initiate he'd never seen before in his life. There was nothing special about the boy, or at least, not that he could see. But still – he was sure he'd felt… well, something.
Shaking the thought from his head, he continued down the hall toward the lift.